Waiting in Waterloo

Well here we are. Thesis defended and handed in, apartment vacated, bed sold (yes it did happen, a small miracle I know), and here I am sitting in a dorm room in Waterloo, Ontario contemplating why I am writing a post instead of taking a nap, which is much needed after my 2 hours of sleep last night. As per usual the flight from Halifax was delayed... I know, big shock. This meant I had to stay in Toronto overnight and drove into Waterloo this morning. It's been a rather slow day, and I am really looking forward to just getting home. Though the reality of leaving is slowly beginning to kick in, which makes me both excited and apprehensive... yeah, I know it's the Type A connundrum: what do you mean we can't control everything? Anyway, it's two more days here, then off to Edmonton for three more. Well I suppose I should get right on this nap before it's too late, so I will leave you on this note: I have somehow been roped into driving the 12 passenger van - ah the ever selfless designated driver ends up driving a MAMMOTH of a vehicle... cross your fingers for me!

17 days 'til departure...

Well, I figure I should add a few more details on my upcoming adventure.

First off, as I mentioned, I am working for an organization called WANEP (this stands for the West African Network for Peacebuilding).

http://www.wanep.org

I found out a few weeks back that I'll be focusing mostly on Peace Education stuff. I guess they once had a very vibrant department for peace ed. but there have been a few changes in staff which means I get to do some fundraising and program planning, which should be fun.

In ten days I leave Hali, which is both exciting and sad. Don't let people say bad things about Nova Scotia - it's a great little place, seriously. Plus, if you focus on the good things: the boardwalk, how crazy-friendly people are, and the fun way they say "caaaaar," it's a bit easier to look past the brutal shopping and other crummy things that come along with a small town.

In thirteen days I'll be home sweet home. Definitely looking forward to some good cooking, and well, just being around friends and fam - good times.

In seventeen days I leave for Ghana. This has not sunk yet, AT all. I figure once my defence is over (Tuesday - gah), and I am at the orientation session in Waterloo with people discussing the various challenges of cultural shock, well perhaps it'll be more real then.

In the mean time though, I should start thinking about this defence... more details to come.